Bookmaker's Licence

Overview

Note

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was established in March 2025. Once operational, it will be responsible for the regulation of gambling. Meanwhile, Revenue will continue to issue licences under the Betting and Gaming Acts.

Queries on the GRAI acan be emailed to communications@grai.ie. 

A bookmaker is a person who, in the course of business, takes bets, sets odds and undertakes to pay out on winning bets. All bookmakers must hold a Bookmaker’s Licence.

Additional requirements:

• On-course: If your business is conducted on-course, you will require a Horse Racing Ireland permit in addition to your Revenue Bookmaker’s Licence.
• Off-course: If your business is conducted from a bookmaking office(s), you must register each office in the Revenue Register of Bookmaking Offices. You are also liable for Betting Duty.

The current licensing period is from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2025. The new licensing period is a one year fixed period from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026.

Your premises registrations (Certificate of Registration of Premises) will expire on the same date as your Bookmaker’s Licence.

Licences will expire at the end of the licensing period, regardless of the issue date.

The cost of a Bookmaker’s Licence is €250.

The cost for each Certificate of Registration of Premises is €380.

Next: First application for a bookmaker's licence